I’ll post anything that indicates I have genius in me…but, honestly, any test that finds my math skills “genius” is suspect. Ref. my 11th grade Algebra teacher, Sr. Borg, who only passed me because, as she said, “You will never learn any of this, and I don’t want to ever see your face in my classroom again.” (So, any friends who usually come out around IQ 117, don’t freak if this makes you even lower….You know who you are!) Your... Read more

My friend, Michelle Suh, who runs the great organization Hollywood Connect, also happens to be a concert violinist. She is playing at a concert this week, and it will be wonderful. Here’s her message about it: For any interested, if you’re not doing anything Thursday, June 16th, Iwill be playing with artist Morgan Grace (Kate Bush meets Tori Amosmeets electronica/Nine Inch Nails meets Celtic) and we’d love to haveyou! Please note Morgan is NOT a Christian artist. We will be... Read more

…when I can not attend because of Act One? Here’s one such very cool going-on that I have been tracking for a few years now, but which I can never attend because of our summer program. Oxbridge is a consortium held annually at Oxford for Christian thinkers, writers and artists. All of the presentations are “in the spirit of C.S. Lewis” if not directly about Lewis or his works. This year’s event [sigh] is on beauty and truth in culture.... Read more

One of our act one alumns sent me the following heads-up. I haven’t seen the thing myself, but I am now officially intrigued. I’ve had a chance to preview the first two episodes of Steven Spielberg’s INTO THE WEST that premieres on TNT this Friday, June 10. (It runs every Friday until July 22, with repeats on Saturdays and Sundays.) Excellent production values, great writing, compelling story–AND a strong Christian witness in the character of Jedediah Smith. In short: I... Read more

[This is a somewhat paraphrased and somewhat literal transcription of an interview I did Sunday night with a NY Times reporter named James. This was the follow-up interview to one he did with me a few weeks ago. That first interview started with the following exchange (after intro comments): James: So, in the last six months, there have been 37 pairings in the Times of the word “Christian” with words like “scary”, “frightening”, “theocratic” and “intimidating”. My question is, what... Read more

791 God gave a Loaf to every Bird —But just a Crumb — to Me —I dare not eat it — tho’ I starve —My poignant luxury — To own it — touch it —Prove the feat — that made the Pellet mine —Too happy — for my Sparrow’s chance —For Ampler Coveting — It might be Famine — all around —I could not miss an Ear —Such Plenty smiles upon my Board —My Garner shows so fair — I... Read more

Kudos and great gratitude to the great and good Josh Goforth for his generous offer to provide new art direction for this humble blog. I met Josh on my recent visit to San Antonio. I think he did a lovely job. I especially love the broken Church window thing – a visual haunting moment, eh, Act Oners? I asked Josh to send me something to put here to give him some credit for his work… My name is Josh Goforth... Read more

I guess the 700 Club piece is airing because I am getting emails pitching me ideas for movies. Someone sent me a link to what seems to be a transcript of the show on-line. It’s here if you’re interested. This is my favorite me-quote in the piece (basically because I’m not sure I’ve been able to snark on Darwin nationally before…) In fact, the networks ordered up 14 pilots for this fall season that have a supernatural theme. Nicolosi says... Read more

I like Ron Howard’s latest offering very much. Cinderella Man has much to recommend it. The story offers a simple heroism (and equally unambiguous bad guy), a quiet patriotism, and a linear structure that all feels very much like a movie from Hollywood’s Golden Age. The directing is supremely competent, the beats and stakes and plot-points are all where they should be. The main performances are stellar – especially from Paul Giamatti, as the main character’s manager. Wow. Somebody wrote... Read more

I got an email from a producer at CBN that I will be on The 700 Club on June 6th. The producer’s exact quote was, “You were a big part of making the piece interesting.” That’s important to me to know, because I keep telling family and friends to catch me on TV shows, only to see that my actual face-time is 3.78 seconds and about 9 words. Anyway, I have never actually seen The 700 Club, but one of... Read more